Easy Valentines Wood Ampersand DIY

THE INSPIRATION TRIBE BLOG HOP
Welcome to The Inspiration Tribe’s February Blog Hop.

Some amazingly fun crafters, DIYer’s and decorators have come together to create and share décor and gift ideas for every holiday, season or events throughout the year. We hope to inspire you to create as well as share those creations with others.

This month we are featuring our inspirational ideas for… Valentine’s Day!

It’s hard to believe we are half way through February, but that means it’s getting really close to Valentine’s Day. It’s time to think of bringing some love into our lives and put this cold, gloomy weather aside.

I’m sharing a DIY ampersand that was incredibly easy, and 100% on trend! It all started when I picked up a cute reclaimed looking “M” and “J” from Homegoods and put them in our family room. When the “M” half of that combo got home, he asked if Michael Jordan, or Michael Jackson, or (you get the point) lived here. As much as I was trying not too, I couldn’t help but laugh and add other MJ names to the pot. So, after a little brainstorm, enter a cute ampersand to make it personal and perfect for Valentines Day!

First off, I grabbed a scrap 2×12 from our pile and sketched on an ampersand to cut out.

Using our jigsaw (best $5 garage sale purchase ever!) I cut out the outside of the ampersand. It doesn’t need to be one cut by any means… Take as many “outs” or straight cuts to the edge as needed!

Next up was the inside loops. In order to get your jigsaw cut started, we drilled a hole wide enough for the jigsaw blade to fit on the X’s marked above.

Once everything was cut out, it got a good sanding to smooth out any imperfections. I contemplated staining or painting it, but next to the fun letters, it just didn’t feel right. So, I went into my stash of scrapbook paper (circa high school and have traveled with me to multiple states and cities even though I haven’t scrapbooked in years and are extremely heavy might I add. Seemed so necessary at the time ha!) and traced and cut out the ampersand shape in some colorful paper.

A little glue, and this project was complete!

I love how simple this project was, and how people now know (sorry to disappoint) that Michael Jordan doesn’t live here : ) I don’t usually go all out for Valentines Day, but little touches like this still add a dash of whimsy that I think works perfect!